Commissioners revise budget, discuss opening offices

Seneca County commissioners approved a replacement resolution Thursday that adjusted portions of its budget resolution from last week, resulting in total budget reductions of $1,856,166. The former resolution had $1.9 million in reductions, but County Administrator Stacy Wilson said $53,562.35 in adjustments have been needed for financial transactions that were in process and unexpected expenses such as buying large quantities of disinfectant and sanitizer and other expenses related to the pandemic. The commissioners' plan, which started being implemented two weeks ago, includes 20% decreases to salaries and wages in the General Fund to help meet the shortfall created by a reduction in revenue caused by the pandemic. The cut in salaries, combined with other expense decreases, almost met the $2 million budget reduction goal. The commissioners also discussed the status of county offices as the state reopens. Gov. Mike DeWine announced Monday that offices begin to open back up May 4. While office can open, they noted that conducting business online and by phone is working well, with appointments being made as needed for in-person meetings. Wilson has been ordering masks, hand sanitizer and other supplies. Commissioner Mike Kerschner said issues related to the coronavirus area likely to continue for a while, and he urged people to communicate and call ahead when conducting business with the county. In any case, Commissioner Shayne Thomas said many county offices, including the commissioners office, will continue to be closed on Fridays until the county's finances recover. Related to county employees working four days a week, the commissioners discussed internal unemployment issues with their human resources consultant Aaron Weare, of ClemansNelson and Associates. He and Carol Kern, of Seneca County Department of Job & Family Services, discussed unemployment compensation and explained the idea of creating a shared work program that could allow county workers who are unemployed or underemployed to receive more benefits. The program is to be explored by the commissioners and by other departments across the county. The commissioner proclaimed May as Foster Care Month. Thomas said the county has 18 children in foster care and 54 kids in kinship care with a family member or close family friend. He said 11 families are certified to provide foster care. "We want to make sure these vital services continues," he said. "Kudos to everyone who's providing foster care." He said anyone interested in becoming certified to provide foster care should call the Job & Family Services office. Commissioner Tony Paradiso noted the donation of 4,000 masks by Andrew Kalnow and National Machinery for use by medical personnel throughout the county. He said the search committee for a new executive director for Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce has received eight applications, and committee members will be narrowing the candidates to two or three people. The commissioner then will have a part in determining the final choice because the county contracts with the chamber office to provide the county's bed tax funds for operating Destination Seneca County. "The public should be aware there's a bed tax in the county which funds the visitors bureau," he said. In other business, the board agreed to honor a previous agreement with the Seneca County Department of Job and Family Services to advance funding for two new vehicles so employees can continue to provide services to children and families without the concern that vehicles might need repairs. The commissioners also approved: • A $50,000 supplemental appropriation for Job & Family Services unemployment expenses. • A fund advance repayment of $169,735.31 to the county from the Wolf Creek Ditch Project Fund to the General Fund. The commissioners had advanced money so the project could be completed and the funds are being returned in installments. • Accepting a contract with Transportation Equipment Services Corp. for two eight-passenger, four-wheelchair vans on behalf of the Seneca County Opportunity Center. The cost is $144,400 with trade-ins. • Authorizing Thomas to sign the 2021 Workers Compensation Group Retrospective Rating Plan between the county and the County Commissioners Association of Ohio.